TRIES

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TRIES

CONVERSIONS

PENALTIES

Super Rugby preview: Reds v Hurricanes

The Reds will be fully refreshed after their bye week as they look to wrestle their way back into the play-off shake-up with victory at the Hurricanes.

Five defeats out of eight so far this season has not been the form Richard Graham was craving from his men in his first campaign in the hot seat.

However, they are still not out of contention for the 2014 knock-out stages as in one of the closest tournaments in recent years, they can recover, starting with this match at Westpac Stadium before they travel to the Blues and then host the Crusaders at Suncorp in winnable fixtures.

The Hurricanes are in fact the example of what the Reds require right now as Mark Hammett's side sit in seventh position, only four points off New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs after wins over the Crusaders, Bulls and Blues in recent weeks. Could they for once not be bridesmaids?

Led by the combination of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett, the 'Canes are maturing as a side while the shift of Alapati Leiua to inside centre is paying dividends. Factor in the improvement in form of Jack Lam, Andre Taylor and their front-row and this is a dark horse.

Speaking of that front-row that has seen Jeffery Toomaga-Allen improve his reputation, the return of Ben Franks to loosehead prop is significant. Before missing out last week, Franks was the Hurricanes' top tackler, which shows just how much work he is getting through.

James Slipper and Ben Daley are also hard-working props and we expect the whole Reds pack will need to put in a shift around the field on Saturday, with this 'Canes squad having moved teams around so far this season. The width in the home gameplan could well be the deciding factor in this one, which is surprising to say when the opposition is the Reds, who for years had arguably the most attractive style under former head coach Ewen McKenzie.